Five ways to save the world by reading books
March 26, 2008 9:13 pm Why reading?Environmental consciousness for the rest of us
After a long struggle, I finally finished reading The Weather Makers. I bought the book soon after Tim Flannery was announced Australian of the Year. I figured if our sceptical government could give in and accept the reality of climate change, then I have a responsibility to learn about it.
The Weather Makers was a well-researched and complete book. But have you ever been to an environmental rally or information talk where the presenter tried to make it seem like they were impartial, but clearly weren’t? The book is like that - good information, but you feel like the author is on a soapbox.
All that aside, it did inspire me. I was wondering how I could make an impact when our hot water system exploded. So now, a week’s wait and many dollars later, I have solar hot water. And a warm shower can’t be beat.
Anyway, here are four ways that reading books can help make an environmental impact. They may not be as big as getting rid of your Four Wheel Drive, but you’d be reading anyway, right?
1. Reuse
Wherever possible, avoid the temptation to buy a book new. There are loads of second hand books out there, that are easy enough to get your hand on. If you accidentally buy a new book, make sure others read it as well (I suggest bookcrossing or bookmooch)
2. Recycle
Obvious, huh? Books are made out of paper. If they are no longer readable, make sure they are made into something else.
3. Plant a tree for every book you read.
Books use about a tree’s worth of paper. Make sure your books are replaced. Eco-Libris is planting books in the third world to balance your books. You pay for the planting and receive a sticker to put in the books that you balance, so they are marked forever (or until they are recycled).
4. Find out about the environment and what you can do.
I have mentioned The Weather Makers. It explains the climate crisis in enough detail to make it understandable. However, there are about 3 million books in this genre, so choose an author that you respect who writes in language you understand, and read on. It could inspire you to change. Another book I have enjoyed is Tree (David Suzuki)
5. Unclutter your books by joining the new book economy
Books form clutter in our houses. Clutter increases the space we need, and therefore the space we need to maintain at comfortable temperature. IF you packed all of your books into one room, how much space would they take up? Trade, lend, sell and release your books so they stop clagging up your house. Keep only those that you can’t get elsewhere. Join a library, and only keep books in your house that you haven’t read. I confess, this is not my strong point, but book sharing has let me get rid of a lot of books. However, I keep finding new TBRs to replace them (but they are second-hand, of course).
How do you use reading to improve the planet?
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- Books about books refresh your appetite for reading
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